Princeton Community Housing goes beyond providing housing; it creates homes and strengthens the community. Since joining Princeton Community Village (PCV) as the Property Management Assistant in May 2023, Dahlia Hawkins has embodied this philosophy. Her role encompasses administrative tasks, meeting with prospective residents, coordinating with PCV’s social services coordinator, and acting as a liaison between the maintenance staff and the office staff. Despite her varied responsibilities, Dahlia finds her greatest fulfillment in the impact she has on residents. For her, building a community is as foundational as providing housing. She believes, “It’s important to bring people together so no one feels isolated. When different perspectives are shared, rules are easier to follow. It’s a partnership; that is what builds a community.”

Dahlia emphasizes that patience and a clear mind are essential traits for her role, but her ability to identify and bridge gaps is one of her most crucial traits for community strengthening. In the Fall of her first year, she initiated an effort to acquire and distribute backpacks to PCV students who didn’t meet certain criteria in similar, existing programs. Dahlia ensured that all students in need were supported. She attributes her success in finding what would normally go unnoticed to maintaining a comfortable environment where residents feel free to communicate their needs. To help open lines of communication, Dahlia introduced a monthly Coffee & Conversations hour, inviting residents to share their ideas for improving their experience at PCV. Residents credit the re-introduction of a weekly fitness class at PCV’s Ted Vial Clubhouse as just one of the results of Coffee & Conversations.

Although she has many things on her daily to-do lists, Dahlia feels assured that she can handle her workload with the support of her fellow staff members. She remarked, “I have a strong team that has my back and can help. Everyone is supportive and listens. They serve as a foundation for me, which helps me serve as a foundation for the residents.”

“There is work involved in being in a community. The work is hard, but the reward is awesome.”